Living Here: Williamsburg

Some say time travel is impossible. But a walk through 18th-century living is a highlight in this former Colonial capitol. The city's permanent residents still find amusement in seeing the historic interpreters in full Colonial garb in supermarkets and at ATMs once they're off work.

Another population that gives Williamsburg its unique flavor is the college students. There are about 7,600 students and six graduate programs at the College of William and Mary, the second-oldest university in the country.

William and Mary and Williamsburg provided a start to more than a few Colonial stars — Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry — before the capital moved to Richmond in 1780.

Tourism hit two snags in the past 12 years — the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the recession — but city officials report it is back on the rise. A recent push is on to increase density downtown to allow more people to walk to where they work, eat, shop and play, and efforts to create an arts district. A development at Quarterpath Road providing retail, housing and a hospital, is underway.

Williamsburg

Population: 14,068

Area: 9.05 square miles

Founded: As Middle Plantation in 1633; established as Williamsburg in 1699